Quick Facts on Fatima

Characteristics of Fatima

Freedom-loving

Adventurous

Adaptable

Intellectual

Easygoing

Progressive

Sensual

Etymology & Historical Origin - Fatima

Fāṭima is a name of Arabic origin and means ‘chaste’ or one who ‘abstains (from forbidden things)’. It is also said to mean ‘weaner’ (or one who cares for her children). Fāṭima is a popular name among Muslims since it was borne by the Prophet Muhammad’s most favored daughter. Famita is also a name bestowed by Roman Catholics in honor of “Our Lady of Fátima”, a title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary who appeared before three children in the village of Fátima, western Portugal, in 1917. The name of the town was also taken from the Arabic name, after a Moorish princess of Arabic origin during the period when the Moors (Islamic Arabs from Northern Africa) occupied the Iberian Peninsula.

Popularity of the Name Fatima

The female name Fatima only first appeared on the U.S. Popularity charts in 1973. This was shortly after the 1965 repeal of the National Origins Act of 1924 – which had previously set restrictions on non-European immigration to the United States. This created a second wave of Arab immigration when hundreds of thousands of people came from Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Tunisia, Libya, Saudi Arabia, and the Palestinian areas. Persians (mainly Iranians) should not be confused with Arabs. They are distinctly different even if they often share first names of Arabic origin. Muslims now constitute about 4% of the U.S. population, so we are beginning to see common Arab and Muslim first names appear on the American popularity charts. Fatima is one example of this, particularly important to the Shiites. The name has shown an upwards trajectory on the charts and today enjoys moderate success in this country. As mentioned earlier, it is also a name favored among some Roman Catholics (particularly the Spanish and Portuguese). It’s a beautiful name and contributes a meaningful place in the diversity of America.

Popularity of the Girl Name Fatima

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Cultural References to the Baby Name - Fatima

Literary Characters of the Baby Name Fatima

Fatima We cannot find any significant literary characters with the first name Fatima.

Popular Songs on Fatima

Eye of Fatima (Pt. 1) - a song by Camper Van Beethoven

Eye of Fatima (Pt. 2) - a song by Camper Van Beethoven

Fatima - a song by Die Apokalyptischen Reiter

Fatima's Hand - a song by Outlandish

Secrets of Fatima - a song by Cage

Sister Fatima - a song by Don McLean

What Happened / Eye of Fatima - a song by Sublime

Children's Books on the Baby Name Fatima

Fatima and Fay Find a Bird: The Sound of F (Joanne D. Meier) - Learn about the sound of the letter F, as five-year-old friends Fatima and Fay ask Dr. Fem to help them fix an injured bird's wing. Recommended for ages 3-6.

Fatima and the Dream Thief (Rafik Schami) - Hoping to improve the family fortunes, a brother accepts a strange deal offered by the master of a castle: if he can work for a week without losing his temper, he will receive a gold coin. But if he fails, the master will take away all of his dreams, and "deep and restful sleep will be gone forever." The boy narrowly fails; it is his younger sister, Fatima, who succeeds in outwitting the master. Recommended for ages 5-8.

Fatima the Spinner and the Tent (Idries Shah) - Summary not available. Recommended for ages 4-8.

Famous People Named Fatima

Children of Famous People Named Fatima

Famous People Who Named Their Daughter Fatima - We cannot find any celebrities or famous people who have named their child Fatima.

Fatima - Girl Baby Name - Historic Figures

Fatimah (7th Century) - Also know as Fatima Zahra (Fatima the Shining One), Fatimah was one of the daughters of the Muslim Prophet Muhammad and his first wife. She also had the distinction of being Muhammad’s favorite daughter. Fatima and Muhammad exemplified the ideal father-daughter relationship, so devoted to each other were they. In fact, Muhammad once said: “"Whoever hurts Fatima, hurts me, and whoever hurts me, hurts Allah, exalted be His Majesty!" Her life was cut short (by some accounts, she was 18 when she died). She holds a very special place among Muslims in that she was the Daughter of the Prophet, the wife of the first Imam and mother of all Imams.

Our Lady of Fátima (1917) - Our Lady of Fátima refers to the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary who is believed to have appeared to three children in Fátima, Portugal on May 13, 1917. The three children Lúcia Santos (aged 10) and her two younger cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto reported not only seeing Mary, but claimed that the Blessed Mother revealed “secrets” to them over the course of six months through six different appearances, almost always on the 13th of each month. On the last manifestation on October 13, 1917, Our Lady of Fátima promised a miracle so all would believe. Over 70,000 people gathered on that day and claimed to have seen the ‘sun dance’. The three secrets were later revealed and have often been a source of controversy. The Catholic Church has recognized Our Lady of Fátima’s appearance as an event “worthy of belief.”

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Personality of the Girl Name Fatima

The number Five personality loves the excitement of life and can easily adapt to all situations. As natural adventurers, these personalities thrive on the new and unexpected and prefer to be in constant motion. It makes them feel alive. They'll stir up some action if there's not enough around, and as inherent risk-takers they enjoy pushing the envelope. Naturally rebellious, the Five personality has no fear and never resists change. Traveling and new experiences feed their souls. Fives are very social and attract friends with ease. People love to be around the Five fun-loving and exciting energy. This is also a lucky number in numerology (like the Threes), so fortune seems to shine on them, helped along by their own optimism and good-nature. Fives have a quick wit, a cerebral mind, and are generally very persuasive.